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PRODUCTION Norway

Top European filmmakers get NFI support

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Two of Europe’s leading filmmakers, Jerzy Skolimovski (Poland) and Raimo O. Niemi (Finland), were awarded NOK 1.5m and NOK 700,000 respectively by the Norwegian Film Institute for their projects The Essence of Killing and The Garbage Prince.

The two minority Norwegian co-productions are among the first projects to be initiated in the wake of Norway’s signing the European Co-production Convention.

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Veteran Polish director Skolimowski won accolades at the Cannes Film Festival for The Shout (Grand Prix du Jury in 1978) and Moonlighting (Best Screenplay in 1982). In The Essence of Killing US actor Vincent Gallo will play a political prisoner accused of terrorist activities who pulls off an escape. The NOK 25m film is produced by Skopia Film (Poland) in co-production with Iliade Films (France) and Element Pictures (Ireland). Norwegian co-producers are Ingrid Lill Høgtun and Gaute Lid Larssen (Cylinder Production). World sales are handled by London-based Hanway Films and Norwegian distribution by Europa Film.

Niemi is one of Finland’s most esteemed directors for films for children and young people. The Garbage Prince is based on the famous novel of the same name by Tuija Lehtinen, adapted for the screen by Niemi’s daughter Juuli. It is a feel-good romantic comedy about two very different youngsters who manage to complement each other. The cast includes youthful newcomers Jon-Jon Geitel and Pihla Maalismaa as well as experienced actors Kari Heiskanen, Katarina Kaitue, Marjaana Marjala and Ismo Apell. The film is produced by Finland’s Markku Flink (Periferia Productions) in co-production with Norway’s Lars Løge (Flimmer Film). Walt Disney Studios will release it in Finland and SF in Norway in autumn 2011.

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